[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 48 (Monday, April 27, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E675]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TAX LIMITATION CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. MICHAEL N. CASTLE

                              of delaware

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 22, 1998

  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I fully support H.J. Res. 111, which calls 
for an amendment to the United States Constitution prohibiting passage 
of tax increases without a two-thirds majority in each house of 
Congress, except in emergency cases such as military conflict. I have 
voted for it in the past, am a cosponsor, and am committed to passing 
the strongest tax limitation amendment possible.
  Opponents claim, and will continue to claim, that constitutional 
amendments on taxing and spending make it harder to operate government 
as we know it. That is exactly the point--fiscal reality proves to us 
that we need an instrument, a tool, to control government spending and 
limit raising taxes.
  The Federal Government has run deficits for over 25 years in a row, 
and for 56 of the last 64 years. This is not a short-termed trend, and 
points to a fundamental flaw in the political system that makes a 
constitutional solution both necessary and appropriate. Last year, 
Congress passed the historic Balanced Budget Agreement as a first step 
toward fiscal discipline. However, only nine months later, Congress is 
already breaking the transportation spending caps by $34 billion 
inviting criticism that fiscal discipline was just a fad for Congress. 
We need to pass H.J. Res. 111 to renew our commitment to fiscal 
discipline. Otherwise, irresponsible spending and higher federal taxes 
will continue to own us, cripple our economy and mortgage our 
children's future. Congress needs the legal and moral authority of a 
Constitutional amendment making it more difficult to raise taxes.
  This Congress cannot afford to alienate our constituents by failing 
to pass this crucial legislation. I urge my colleagues to join us in 
restoring fiscal responsibility to this institution today, not 
tomorrow, and not next year.

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